Gradient of Linear Graphs

What is Gradient of Linear Graphs?

A single number measuring the steepness and direction of a straight line, equal to the change in y divided by the corresponding change in x between any two points on the line. It is computed as (y2 minus y1) divided by (x2 minus x1) with the same subtraction order used in numerator and denominator. A positive gradient rises from left to right, a negative gradient falls, a horizontal line has gradient zero, and a vertical line has an undefined gradient because its change in x is zero.

This definition is part of the Coordinate Geometry chapter in Cambridge O Level Mathematics (Syllabus D).

Concepts related to Gradient of Linear Graphs

• rise and run
• gradient triangle
• rate of change
• undefined gradient